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PubMed2001

[A DNA bank for people subjected to occupational irradiation. Goals and prospects].

A DNA bank was created to preserve the genetic material of staff of the first Russian atomic plant, Production Association (PO) Mayak, who were exposed to chronic external gamma-irradiation at various doses in the early years of plant operation. Some of the workers experienced combined irradiation from external and internal (incorporated plutonium-239) sources. The unique genetic material of the subjects and their children can be used to study the remote consequences of irradiation by means of modern molecular-genetic techniques. At present, the bank contains the genetic material of 500 people. A database was constructed to include medical, demographic, professional, and dose characteristics of each individual and quantitative and qualitative parameters of each DNA preparation. The bank is continuously augmented with new DNA samples of the irradiated people and members of their families.

DNA↗

PubMed2003

Advanced Characterization System Deployments at the Hanford Site.

The Advanced Characterization System (ACS) uses readily available commercial radiation Environmental Restoration Contractor (ERC) detection and measurement equipment in a complementary staged system to locate and identity contamination in structures, systems and land area at Hanford's Environmental Restoration Contractor work sites. Large structures, such as former plutonium production reactors and separations facilities, are thoroughly and comprehensively characterized, not only for decontamination and decommissioning (D&D), but also for disposal and/or release. The ACS uses gamma-ray imaging instruments, in situ gamma spectrometry and large-area data-logging contamination survey meters to generate sufficient quality data to make operational and release decisions. The system is also used to safely characterize in-place systems without violating any containment and to localize activity in unusual situations.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Effective Radiological Contamination Control and Monitoring Techniques In High Alpha Environments.

In the decommissioning of a highly contaminated alpha environment, such as the one at Hanford's 233-S Plutonium Concentration Facility, one of the key elements of a successful radiological control program is an integrated safety approach. This approach begins with the job-planning phase where the scope of the work is described. This is followed by a brainstorming session involving engineering and craft to identify how to perform the work in a logical sequence of events. Once the brainstorming session is over, a Job Hazard Analysis is performed to identify any potential problems. Mockups are utilized to enable the craft to get hands on experience and provide feedback and ideas to make the job run smoother. Ideas and experience gained during mockups are incorporated into the task instruction. To assure appropriate data are used in planning and executing the job, our principal evaluation tools included lapel and workplace air sampling, plus continuous air monitors and frequent surveys to effectively monitor job progress. In this highly contaminated alpha environment, with contamination levels ranging from 0.3 Bq cm to approximately 100,000 Bq cm (2,000 dpm per 100 cm to approximately 600 million dpm per 100 cm ), with average working levels of 1,600-3,200 Bq cm (10-20 million dpm per 100 cm ) without concomitant ambient radiation levels, control of the spread of contamination is key to keeping airborne levels As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Advanced characterization system deployments at the hanford site.

Decontamination↗

PubMed2003

Effective radiological contamination control and monitoring techniques in high alpha environments.

In the decommissioning of a highly contaminated alpha environment, such as the one at Hanford's 233-S Plutonium Concentration Facility, one of the key elements of a successful radiological control program is an integrated safety approach. This approach begins with the job-planning phase where the scope of the work is described. This is followed by a brainstorming session involving engineering and craft to identify how to perform the work in a logical sequence of events. Once the brainstorming session is over, a Job Hazard Analysis is performed to identify any potential problems. Mockups are utilized to enable the craft to get hands on experience and provide feedback and ideas to make the job run smoother. Ideas and experience gained during mockups are incorporated into the task instruction. To assure appropriate data are used in planning and executing the job, our principal evaluation tools included lapel and workplace air sampling, plus continuous air monitors and frequent surveys to effectively monitor job progress. In this highly contaminated alpha environment, with contamination levels ranging from 0.3 Bq cm-2 to approximately 100,000 Bq cm-2 (2,000 dpm per 100 cm2 to approximately 600 million dpm per 100 cm2), with average working levels of 1,600-3,200 Bq cm-2 (10-20 million dpm per 100 cm2) without concomitant ambient radiation levels, control of the spread of contamination is key to keeping airborne levels As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The characteristics of 90Sr accumulation and elimination in residents of the Urals region in the period of 1957-1988].

A number of radiation accidents occurred at the "Mayak" plutonium production complex (Southern Urals, Russia) in 1950-60s that resulted in environmental contamination of large territories in the Southern and Middle Urals with long-lived radionuclides (90Sr, 137Cs). The results of long-term radiological monitoring were compiled into special databases at the Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, which allow the study of 90Sr behaviour in the environment and its accumulation in the human body. Retrospective analysis of the data on postmortem measurements of 90Sr in bones performed on residents of the Urals region over 1957-1988 were conducted for the first time. A time-dependence of 90Sr accumulation in the human body upon its density in soils was observed. Age and gender characteristics of 90Sr retention in bones were studied. It was shown that the levels of 90Sr in residents of large territories north and north-east of Chelyabinsk region, and of bordering territories of Sverdlovsk region were several times higher than the average values for the Russian Federation. Based on the measurements the direct dependence of 90Sr content in the skeleton on 90Sr density in soils was observed 30 years after the 1957 accident (the so called "Kyshtym accident"). However, for individual settlements this dependence may be weakened as a result of the influence of different biological and social factors. No influence of gender on 90Sr accumulation in the skeleton was found in the study. The analysis of age characteristics of 90Sr accumulation in bone, as influenced by skeleton growth and maturation, showed maximal levels of 90Sr from global fallout to be accumulated in bones of the persons born in 1949-1955.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The parameters of clearance of industrially significant alpha-emitters from the lungs of mammals].

Results of assessment of biokinetic parameters of change in the burden of significant alpha-emitters in the lungs of mammals in various times after inhalation intake (Qt(lung)) were generalized. 1740 Wistar rats of both sex with the initial age of 2-2.5 months and 143 mature mongrel dogs used in 23 and 3 animal tests, respectively, were involved in this work. The analysis of experimental data resulted in selection of three groups of chemically soluble compounds of alpha-emitters that differ in the rate of radionuclide clearance from the lung as well as in integral doses. Stable complex compounds of quadrivalent and of hexavalent nuclides and non-complex salts of quinquivalent and of hexavalent 237Np were assigned to the group of soluble compounds of 239Pu and 237Np. A three-component exponential model of change in Qt(lung) with the prevalence of fast and of intermediate phases (55%, T(eff) = 0.41 days and 35%, T(eff) = 18.1 days respectively) and the presence of a slow clearance phase (10%, T(eff) = 206 days) was developed for these compounds. Complex compounds of quadrivalent 239Pu and 237Np unstable in the environment of pH and of body temperature, their non-complex salts of mineral acids in ionic or polymer form, and submicron plutonium dioxide (SMD = 0.07 mkm) were assigned to the group of relatively soluble compounds includes. An exponential model with 2-3 components with the prevalence of intermediate and of slow clearance phases (71%, T(eff) = 19.3 days and 22%, T(eff) = 169 days respectively) was developed for compounds of this group. The third group of the compounds is presented based on the soluble 241Am compounds that could be typical for stable trivalent compounds of rare-earth and transuranium radionuclides. Their biokinetics is described by a 3-4-component exponential model with the fast phase prevailing (96.7%, T(eff) < or = 6.8 days), and with intermediate (2.6%, T(eff) = 69 days) and with slow (0.7%, T(eff) = 1040 days) phases being negligible. Physical chemicas and biological processes determining nuclides biokinetics in lungs are discussed.

Actinoid Series Elements↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Consequences of the nuclear power plant accident at Chernobyl.

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR), on April 26, 1986, was the first major nuclear power plant accident that resulted in a large-scale fire and subsequent explosions, immediate and delayed deaths of plant operators and emergency service workers, and the radioactive contamination of a significant land area. The release of radioactive material, over a 10-day period, resulted in millions of Soviets, and other Europeans, being exposed to measurable levels of radioactive fallout. Because of the effects of wind and rain, the radioactive nuclide fallout distribution patterns are not well defined, though they appear to be focused in three contiguous Soviet Republics: the Ukrainian SSR, the Byelorussian SSR, and the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic. Further, because of the many radioactive nuclides (krypton, xenon, cesium, iodine, strontium, plutonium) released by the prolonged fires at Chernobyl, the long-term medical, psychological, social, and economic effects will require careful and prolonged study. Specifically, studies on the medical (leukemia, cancers, thyroid disease) and psychological (reactive depressions, post-traumatic stress disorders, family disorganization) consequences of continued low dose radiation exposure in the affected villages and towns need to be conducted so that a coherent, comprehensive, community-oriented plan may evolve that will not cause those already affected any additional harm and confusion.

Accidents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nuclear criticality accidents.

Criticality occurs when a sufficient quantity of fissionable material is accumulated, and it results in the liberation of nuclear energy. All process accidents have involved plutonium or highly enriched uranium, as have most of the critical experiment accidents. Slightly enriched uranium systems require much larger quantities of material to achieve criticality. An appreciation of criticality accidents should be based on an understanding of factors that influence criticality, which are discussed in this article.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed1990

[Liposomal polycarboxylic chelating agents for elimination of toxic metals from the body].

Experimental evidence is overviewed to show the efficacy of liposomal polycarboxylic acids in detoxication and elimination of radionuclides and toxic metals from animal organisms. It is shown that liposomal salt of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid is retained by the organism for a longer time. The reported evidence indicates considerable advantages of liposomal diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid in elimination of mercury, cadmium, lead, gold, ytterbium, and plutonium from animal organisms (as compared to free acid forms). The liposomal diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid significantly reduced the general and specific cadmium toxicity of animals loaded with lethal doses of cadmium chloride. N,N'-bis-[2-hydroxybenzene]-ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid in the liposomal form considerably increased the iron elimination rate as compared to the chelating solution. A possibility is proposed on the use of diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid in the liposomal form for radionuclide and toxic metal elimination and carriage detection.

Acetates↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of americium-241 in urine].

A technique has been developed for the determination of americium 241 in urine by a radiochemical purification of the nuclide from uranium (upon co-precipitation of americium 241 with calcium and lanthanum), plutonium, thorium, and polonium 210 (upon co-precipitation of these radionuclides with zirconium iodate). alpha-Radioactivity was measured either in a thick layer of the americium 241 precipitate with a nonisotope carrier or in thin-layer preparations after electrolytic precipitation of americium 241 on a cathode.

Americium↗

PubMed1987

The subcellular distribution of 238Pu and 239Pu in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.

The subcellular distribution of 238Pu and 239Pu after incubation of primary cultures of rat hepatocytes with the citrate complex of these metals was studied, and the results were compared with data from in vivo experiments. As in vivo, the lysosomes are the principal organelles in which 238Pu and 239Pu are accumulated. In contrast to in vivo studies, 239Pu is also detectable on the pericellular membranes and in the cell nuclei, where it is predominantly bound to a high-molecular-weight component. The percentage of the total cellular 239Pu which can be recovered in the cell nuclei increased with incubation time from 10% at 1 h to nearly 30% at 5 h. Plutonium-238, an isotope with 270-fold higher specific activity than 239Pu, showed no association with the nuclei. The membrane-bound fraction of 239Pu, as determined using the exogenous chelator diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid decreased from 30% at shorter incubation times to 15% at longer incubation periods. After incubation with 238Pu the membrane fraction and the cytosolic fraction contained higher concentrations of the radionuclide than after incubation with 239Pu.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

[Biological effects and risks of accidental radionuclide uptake].

This review presents the actual state of knowledge about medical dangers of a radioactive fall-out. Concepts for the estimation of accidental incorporation, as well as effects and risks that are known to occur after incorporation of radionuclides are discussed. Special attention is paid to the following topics: effect of radioiodine on the thyroid gland, effect of radio-cesium on whole body burden, alpha-emitting particles (plutonium) with deposition in the airways, association of osteotrope radionuclides (strontium) with malignomas of the skeleton and finally prophylaxis with iodine to prevent damage of the thyroid.

Accidents↗

PubMed1977

[Radiotoxicological surveillance of personnel occupationally exposed to the hazards of internal radiocontamination in a nuclear center].

At the Casaccia Nuclear Centre the personnel occupationally exposed to a risk of internal contamination from radioactive substances is controlled by means of periodic radiotoxicological analyses. About 30,000 analyses of natural uranium, enriched uranium, thorium, gamma emetters, plutonium, americium, etc. in urine have been carried out since 1962. In the case of accidental acute radiocontamination by inhalation, wound and ingestion, special control on urine, blood, feces, nasal swabs, etc. must be schedules. The results can be very useful to the medical staff in order to take the most suitable therapeutical measures or to calculate the body burden.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗

PubMed1980

[The effects of radium-224 in children and adults (author's transl)].

During 1944-1952 a large number of German patients were injected with "Peteosthor", a solution of Ra-224 with added traces of eosin and colloidal platinum. In high doses this treatment has been followed by an increased frequency of malignant bone sarcomas, benign exostoses, growth retardation, tooth breakage, kidney diseases, liver diseases and cataracts. This information is being used to estimate the bone cancer risk from Plutonium.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Microlocalization of artificial radionuclides in radiological protection of the environment.

Though environmental biological equilibrium seems to be safeguarded as long as the radiological protection of man is assumed, a number of problems raised by environmental protection are not fully solved. In particular, there occur both macroscopic processes of concentration at some levels of the biological chains, and microlocalization at the cellular, subcellular and molecular levels. The long-term consequences of the non-uniform distribution of the radionuclides should therefore be assessed even if the contamination levels of the physical environment are very low. These aspects are of particular significance with alpha-emitters (plutonium and transplutonium elements), beta-emitters (chiefly tritium) and activation products, some of which are radioisotopes of biologically significant elements. The incidence of these processes is discussed in the light of recent and future developments in nuclear energy. This approach might open new avenues for investigations in environmental radiological protection. The concept of a concentration factor between the environment and the total organism must be supplemented by the concept of a localization and concentration factor at the subcellular level. The significance of the physico-chemical forms of the radionuclides and the parameters likely to modify the characteristics of membranes should be emphasized. Finally, an indication is given on priority measures in the area of investigations of the long-term consequences of low doses on environmental organisms.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pacemakers of the 1980s.

Today's pacing techniques and technologies have gone a long way toward the ideal and in the 1980s will make further strides toward a possible universally responsive, sophisticated, single instrument. These advances include the use of programmability of at least mode, rate, output, sensitivity, and refractory period; dual-chamber as well as single-chamber pacing; CMOS and LSI circuits; lithium batteries and possibly a limited revival of plutonium batteries; new lighter, longer-lasting, positive attachment leads; and new methods of triggering pacing. However, the increase in complexity and expense of the new devices has led to a question of their need, to a disputed question as to the possibility of overuse of pacing in general, and a need to reconcile government-mandated cost containment with medical as well as socioeconomic reality.

Computers↗

PubMed1995

Health effects of radiation incidents in the southern Urals.

This article discusses the most important information on health effects in the Urals region (Russia) of residents exposed to radiation from activities of a weapon plutonium separation plant. The population residing on the contaminated territory was exposed to chronic combined irradiation (external gamma-irradiation and internal irradiation due to Sr-90 and Cs-137). The red bone marrow (RBM) was the critical organ affected as a result of radiation events in the Urals. In the early period, after the discharges of radioactive wastes into the river Techa (about 3 M Ci) started, cases of chronic radiation sickness (CRS; 940 cases, in total), postirradiation reactions manifested by changes in blood parameters (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia), nervous system disorders, immunity changes and ostealgic syndrome were registered in a portion of those riverside village residents who had received the highest doses. Increased leukemia and cancer mortality and morbidity rates were noted among this population in later periods. No late effects were observed in residents exposed to an explosion in a radioactive waste depot in September, 1957 when radioactive wastes with about 20 M Ci of activity were released into the environment. Similarly, the offspring of the residents exposed on the Techa also did not display any late effects. The data about the possibilities of long-term (43-45 years after the start of exposure) biological indication of chronic internal exposure are presented. The methods used in the study include in situ fluorescent hybridization, analysis of mutations in the TCR gene of peripheral blood lymphocytes and erythrocyte mutations in the glycophorine A system. No dependence of genomic translocations and mutations in glycophorine A on cumulative exposure dose to RBM was traced.

Adult↗